The Monday Night Oldies Dance Party

September 14^th, 1998

By AL KLIMCKE Courier-Post Staff

Carol Ward and Joe Pascale work out some graceful moves on the thronged dance floor, as a stylish middle-aged crowd ebbs and flows three and four deep around the near- by bar. Outside, the spacious parking lot is jammed and late arrivals have to leave their cars on adjacent streets, sometimes several blocks away. A weekend night at a trendy spot in Philadelphia? No, this is Monday night B yes, MONDAY night B at the jam- packed, weekly oldies dance party at the Coastline restaurant and nightclub on Brace Road in Cherry Hill. 

  "Most of them come out to see their friends. It's a very nice crowd.  People are comfortable here." By 6 p.m. the lot is full and the bar is already crowded as patrons line up to munch a tasty, complimentary buffet. As the evening progresses, the crowd grows denser, with 800 to 1000 passing through by 11 p.m. Mike has kept the  musical format consistent for years. At 5, The house DJ starts spinning hits from the 50s and '60s. At 8 Mike St. John joins the Party and plays the greatest dance music of all time. The crowd is mostly 25 +. And new waves of people come all the time." Four years ago, a couple who met at the oldies party had their wedding at the Coastline B on a Monday night.

Remember Nicky's Pub 

the first great oldies revival dance.

Article from December 7th 1978

By Thea Vitakin

On my way to Nicky's Pub in Lindenwold, New Jersey, to talk with Mike St. John of  (950AM) radio, I remember thinking that not many people go out on Thursday nights, so I expected a quiet, relaxed club with a small crowd. I couldn't have been more mistaken.

Pulling into the lot, I thought... something unusual is happening hear The lot was jammed, and entering Nicky's... talk about dejavu, I felt I was in the middle of my high school sock hop, except that our sock hops were never this much fun. An unbelievable number of people were dancing to the strains of Little Richard, sitting at tables or standing at the bar having a wonderful time. It reminded me of the cartoonist's conception of a club literally bulging at the seams with little musical notes pouring out of the walls. (Elvis sounds, Motown sounds, The Dupree's, Danny and the Jr's., The Philly sounds and many more.)

What would draw so many people on a Thursday night'? The delightful Mike St.. John, and his OLDIES SHOW. After absorbing the Atmosphere and mingling with the crowd, I was able to talk with Mike St. John during the break, and I found out what a dedicated, hard-working person he really is... (and girls, also extremely handsome)! He reminds me of a happy Al Pacino,

Mike St. John is no novice to this business. He told me he got his start at age 12. He was working for a department store in the Allegheny Mountain area, sweeping floors and scraping gum with his razor. Upstairs from the store there was a small radio station. One day, while cleaning the floor of the station, the DJ became ill and had to leave quickly. He told Mike, "This turns this on, this turns that on, and on the hour, do the station ID. and the weather... " So Mike did, and the station owner was listening, called Mike two days later and offered him a job on the air. So, he turned in his broom and he has been on the air ever since. Later, he took a position with the sister station (Top 40) and worked there in '64 and '65. He's also worked in TV and as a news director, copywriter, producer and salesman.

Mike's first love has always been the oldies, and he was the first DJ to go on the air with the oldies when 950 started the format, and has now expanded and brings his show into clubs with much success. It didn't happen overnight, as Mike says, he has worked day and night for over a year to bring this show together and enjoy the success he is having today.

The format on his Saturday night radio show consists of a dance set, music to reminisce by and songs for lovers. I asked him what he considers songs for lovers, and I liked his answer... he said it didn't necessarily have to be Mathis or Sinatra, but "any song that inspires you to hold hands, kiss your girl on the cheek, or just gives you that glow in your eye," so that, he believes, "it can be a fast or slow tune, as long as it sparks that emotion." For those who can't afford to go out to the clubs, Mike would like to see you and your friends get together with beer and pretzels, or whatever, and turn on the radio on Saturday night, and there you have it... "Instant Party"... and it won't cost you a dime.

I was interested to know what he does in his spare time, but after chatting for awhile, I found that he really doesn't have much spare time. He spends at least 10 hours a day, 7 days a week working on his programming to keep it interesting and ever changing. 

When Mike does get a chance to relax, he enjoys a nice fire and listening to good jazz.   He also loves the and is an avid Philly's and Eagles fan.

Spinning for Mike St. John was the personable Mike Bowe 103 FM. I asked Mike St. John about his future plans, and I wasn't surprised when this vibrant man said that he'll never be satisfied... he will always be looking for new roads to follow. With his positive attitude and his love for people, he can't miss. If you want to have fun, catch the OLDIES SHOW at NICKS PUB on a Tuesday or Thursday night, or if you can't get out there, tune in Mike St. John on WPEN on Saturday and Sunday nights, even if you think you're not into the oldies sounds now, l promise you... you will be. Mike, I'd rock around the clock with you anytime.

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